search

The Wellness Retreat Near The Sahyadri Range Responds To The Setting | A for Architecture

The first intention of this Wellness Retreat project was to design spaces that responded to this setting. The site sits between the gigantic Sahyadri mountain range, the mesmerizing waters of the Gautami Godavari dam, and a mosaic of multi-toned farmlands dotted with sporadic trees, cattle, cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and more.

Editor’s Note: “This majestic wellness retreat in Maharashtra embraces the timeless language of traditional architecture. The built spaces meld seamlessly with nature, inviting the serenity of the landscape into every corner. Constructed with basalt stone, timber frames, and a pot-tile roof, this haven is crafted by local artisans whose skills breathe life into every detail.” ~Simran Khare

The Wellness Retreat Near The Sahyadri Range Responds To The Setting | A for Architecture

Wellness Retreat

Context

The region has a hot and dry climate, especially during summers, but enjoys pleasant monsoons and winter conditions. The design of most spaces creates shade with minimal walls, allowing maximum natural light and ventilation.

Wellness Retreat

All the buildings have courtyards and green pockets, making the project breathable and decreasing the ambient temperature. Thereby adding the necessary moisture required in a hot and dry climate.

Wellness Retreat

Wellness Retreat

The second intention of this Wellness Retreat project was to understand and incorporate building practices from the Beze village and surrounding settlements. Typically, houses here have a stone plinth, a timber framework, brick or mud walls, and clay pot tiles for roofing.

Wellness Retreat

The monolithic character of the buildings also helps in framing a continuous contrast between the landscape, the sky, and the space of the building, thereby always pushing the attention of the person from the building to the landscape, the environment around them, and perhaps even to themselves.

Wellness Retreat

Construction Decisions

Construction activities, like most other activities, are seen as a cooperative set of activities and a form of mutual exchange of skills, labour, and resources. For instance, a mason builds a house for a farmer, who in turn pays him back in grains or by offering other skills. The project uses three materials: basalt stone, a timber frame, and a pot-tile roof.

Wellness Retreat

Since the project is in a remote location, it helped to employ and collaborate with the local craftsmen. They have a long lineage of working with these materials. Concrete and steel are minimal. They sourced all materials locally (within 20 to 50 km), reducing the embodied energy.

Stone

The stone work on the site was mainly carried out by the Wadari community. The Wadari caste, especially in the rural economy, forms a community of expert stonemasons primarily settled in the Maharashtra and Northern Karnataka belt of India.

Wellness Retreat

Basalt stone:

The stone is plentiful in the region, hand-quarried, chiselled, and fitted on site by the stonemasons. The project extensively uses basalt for load-bearing walls, steps, courtyards, and landscape features. They deliberately created a monolithic character for the building, resembling a solid stone mould resting gently on the landscape.

Wellness Retreat

Wood

This project uses two kinds of timber: 1) Haladu, a yellow-toned timber named after turmeric, is primarily used for the roofing system and columns in specific spaces. 2) Upcycled Wood: Indian teakwood, salvaged from 100 to 150 old dilapidated buildings in the region. It is mostly done by local carpenters headed by a sutar, who is a master carpenter, carrying his skills through generations.

Wellness Retreat

Clay Pot Tiles

A kumbhar (from the potter community) makes clay pot tiles used for roofing using traditional methods learned over decades, typically within the community itself. The changing economy and building practices in the villages narrowed their practice down to only pot-making.

Wellness Retreat

This was the largest consignment of pot tiles the kumbhar had ever received. As the kumbhar involved various family members and other villagers in the process, it became a good economic opportunity for the community.

Spatiality. 

Spatially speaking, the project intends to deliberately invoke a sense of inhabiting the historically prominent architectural types of the region. Historically speaking, several political and spiritual practices have left their architectural traces in the landscape of the Sahyadri Hills and Trimbekashwar.

Among them are the fascinating mediaeval forts, typically built on top of mountains; Wadas, beautifully crafted mediaeval houses of rich merchants; Kunds, subterranean water bodies popular since the Harappan cities and explicitly seen in temple towns across the regions; Chaityas, the beautiful and intricate Buddhist caves and monasteries; and Ghats, the sacred river-front stretches of steps leading to various rivers where architecture and landscape merge seamlessly. Each of these building types has a very specific and memorable spatial quality, which the project invokes in various parts.

Spatial Planning

For instance, the amenities block comprises five squares, each designed separately with five different functions and corresponding spatial qualities. Naturopathy cluster as Wada; massage rooms as courtyard houses; yoga and meditation dome as Chaityas; swimming pool as Kund; and the amphitheatre and restaurant as ghats.

The five squares merge into one long block, with specific transition spaces. To create a spatial sequence with different volumes, qualities of light and shadow, textures, and movement patterns that are learned from the above-mentioned architectural types, from the region, and an in-depth understanding of the respective functions. One of the results of such an approach is that it creates a heterogeneously homogeneous space.

Clusters of Settlements

They conceived the guest rooms mainly as clusters resembling a small settlement with winding streets and courtyards. They organized each cluster as a circle, freely placing it on natural sloping ground to create a meandering path around all clusters at different levels.

The common court shared by four cottages becomes a social space for the guests to interact with each other and enjoy the distant views of the landscape while sitting on their verandahs.

Fact File

Designed by: A for Architecture

Project Type: Hospitality Architecture Design

Project Name:  Viveda Wellness Retreat 

Location: Trimbak, Maharashtra

Year Built: 2019

Area: 41979 Sq.ft

Design Team: Ajay Sonar, Monali Patil, Tejas Pai & Sushil Sakhare

Photograph Courtesy: Hemant Patil

Clients: Viveda Wellness Retreat

Landscape Design: Suman Shilp 

Landscape: Monali Patil (a for architecture), Mahesh Nampurkar (Suman Shilp)

Text By: a for architecture and Shreyank Khemalapure

Source: ArchDaily

The Firm’s Website Link: A for Architecture

Firm’s Instagram Link: A for Architecture

Firm’s Facebook Link: A for Architecture

For Similar Projects >> A Balance Of Contemporary Design And Traditional Elements Indulged In Hospitality 

Ananta Spa And Resort: A Retreat Rooted in Nature and Luxury | Scarlett Designs Pvt. Ltd. (SDPL)

Scarlett Designs Pvt. Ltd. (SDPL) blurs the boundaries between structure and nature with the conceptualization and design of the elemental villas at Ananta Spa and Resort, Ajabgarh. Nestled amidst the majestic Aravalli ranges, the design of the resort draws inspiration from the vastness of its surroundings and natural elements. Each villa type, including Earth, Lagoon, […]

Read More

Habitat 0 Creates A Communal Space Anchored by A Community Club House | RA Design Studio

The design of Habitat 0 begins with the central concept of a vacation home community organized around a circular form. This layout places individual spaces radially around a central circular courtyard, creating a communal space where every area has access to expansive views of the surrounding greenery. The circular design is essential in fostering a […]

Read More

This Traditional Kerala Home is Rooted in Simplicity and Modern Elegance | Vaktra Architects

Nestled in the tranquil village of Thenipalam, Malappuram, Aman is a 2,800 sq. ft. residence, manifesting its Urdu namesake, meaning peace, sanctuary, and security. Designed by Vaktra Architects, this traditional Kerala home is a testament to simplicity, blending Kerala’s tropical ethos with contemporary elegance. This Traditional Kerala Home is Rooted in Simplicity and Modern Elegance […]

Read More

Pranjali is a Modern Bungalow Design Rooted in Calm and Humility | Samast Design Studio

Pranjali – The Doctor’s Bungalow is a peaceful and practical modern bungalow design located in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The name Pranjali, meaning “a graceful offering” or “a gesture of respect,” reflects the spirit of this residence—a calm, humble, and thoughtful space created for a doctor couple seeking balance in their busy lives. The design goal […]

Read More

The Stone-Crete House Is A Brutalist Ode To Contemporary Style Architecture | MPA Design Studio

The contemporary style architecture house is located in the lively urban context of Thaltej, Ahmedabad nestled within a private cluster of four bungalows. Though the home enjoys the benefits of community, it also maintains a high degree of privacy and seclusion. This is achieved through a carefully considered spatial arrangement, despite the proximity of a […]

Read More

This Retreat in Velhe Shows How Organic Homes Connect Deeply with Nature | Fractal Chaos

Screenwriter and director Megha Ramaswamy approached Fractal Chaos to design an organic home as a weekend retreat in Pasli Gaon, Velhe—a village about 150 km from Pune. The site is located between the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats, which gives it a unique ecology with 4 seasons. Drawn to the land by a bordering […]

Read More

This Modern Traditional Kerala House Stands As A Refined Architectural Response | i2a Architects Studio

Situated in the bustling residential neighbourhood of Koorkenchery, Thrissur, Dr. Lakshmi’s residence stands as a refined architectural response to a narrow 15.53 cent plot. The 4214.07 sq ft home is a seamless blend of modern traditional kerala house, with an Indonesian inspired grey white exterior that exudes sophistication. The design strategically employs linear planning, integrating […]

Read More

10 Tropical Houses in India: A Symphony of Design and Nature

Imagine a home that breathes with the breeze, where sunlight filters through lush foliage, and the vibrant hues of nature are an extension of your living space. Tropical houses are architectural marvels; a profound dialogue between human habitation and the natural world, born from centuries of adapting to warm, humid climates. Far from rigid structures, […]

Read More

Kerala Style Homes: 15 Must-Know Projects In India

Kerala style homes have courtyards surrounded by rooms on each side. Traditional Kerala-style homes have a central courtyard known as Nadumuttam surrounded by rooms. These homes promote natural light and ventilation according to the region’s climate. These homes, due to the feature of courtyards as their core spaces, offer beautiful opportunities for social gatherings. This […]

Read More

This Tropical Home Design Features A Striking Sloped Terracotta Roof In Kerala | Vriksha Architects

Aangan is a modern residence that seamlessly integrates with the lush environment of Kerala, showcasing a tropical home design. Designed to embrace the region’s warm climate, the house features a striking sloped terracotta roof at varying levels, enhancing both its aesthetic appeal and functional efficiency. The structure is enveloped in a vibrant tropical landscape, adorned […]

Read More
  • This House In Delhi Feels At Home Away From Home | About the Space

    How To Pick The Right Tiles For Your Kitchen?